Introduction Studies assessing the impact of stress on
health outcomes are lacking in developing countries such
as Botswana, in Southern Africa. This study examines the
relationships between individual life stressors (stressful life
events and chronic life stressors), social relationships and
quality of life (QoL), for low-income urban residents in
Francistown, Botswana. Although there are many studies
of social support and quality of life, no studies have so far
explored the relationship among the three variables.
Selected concepts from stress theory are used as a conceptual
framework.
Materials and methods Using a cross-sectional quantitative
design (both descriptive and explanatory), this study
examined the associations among life stress (stressful life
events and chronic life stressors), social relationships, and
four indicators of health and QoL among a sample of 388
low-income urban dwellers in Francistown, Botswana.
Using multiple regression models, the results of this study
show that the availability of social relationships was
associated with better physical and psychological health
and level of independence. Controlling for the physical
domain of QoL, social relationships buffered the effects of
chronic life stressors on QoL and level of independence.
Conclusions Social relationships buffer the effects of
stressful life events on quality, not on psychological wellbeing.
Social relationships had no moderating effect on
physical health, level of independence and on quality of
life.